i need help for my gwr hst and night rivera trip.

[LudwigTails]

So I was hoping between to head to the west, between exeter st davids and penzance, I was originally planning on this to be a 3 day trip. 1 day going to exeter, 2nd is the main point of the jounrey which is traveling on the GWR HST. Then between day 2 and 3 i would head home on the night Rivera and head back home in brighton. The dates I want to do this trip was between 23 july to 28 july.
I really wanted to do the longer journey from exeter st davids to penzance however this diagram only exist on a Saturday so meaning base from this i would have to start my trip on friday. The same trouble is the night Rivera DOESNT have any service on saturday at all. I do really want to do the night rivera as I have never rode on it nor a sleeper train before and also wanting to do the exeter to penzance direction on the HST for a longer leg (aiming for 2C10 0628 Exeter St Davids Penzance or 2C22 1221 Exeter St Davids Penzance)
. So what should i do if i wish to achieve both (doing this within 3 days, traveling from exeter to penzance), and even if there is a way is it possible to do this, how so? as a picky note i dont wish to do my very first gwr hst leg from penzance to exeter, i wish to do this from exeter to penzance (for the sake of me like to think i can always escape the south as far as possible).

 

[The exile]

So I was hoping between to head to the west, between exeter st davids and penzance, I was originally planning on this to be a 3 day trip. 1 day going to exeter, 2nd is the main point of the jounrey which is traveling on the GWR HST. Then between day 2 and 3 i would head home on the night Rivera and head back home in brighton. The dates I want to do this trip was between 23 july to 28 july.
I really wanted to do the longer journey from exeter st davids to penzance however this diagram only exist on a Saturday so meaning base from this i would have to start my trip on friday. The same trouble is the night Rivera DOESNT have any service on saturday at all. I do really want to do the night rivera as I have never rode on it nor a sleeper train before and also wanting to do the exeter to penzance direction on the HST for a longer leg (aiming for 2C10 0628 Exeter St Davids Penzance or 2C22 1221 Exeter St Davids Penzance)
. So what should i do if i wish to achieve both (doing this within 3 days, traveling from exeter to penzance), and even if there is a way is it possible to do this, how so? as a picky note i dont wish to do my very first gwr hst leg from penzance to exeter, i wish to do this from exeter to penzance (for the sake of me like to think i can always escape the south as far as possible).

Why not head out on the Night Riviera instead? If you are not worried about doing it the whole way, then leave London on Friday night and bail out at Exeter (think it sets down there). Otherwise go down Thursday night, stay Friday night in Exeter. There should be plenty of time to do the HST all the way to Penzance and still get back to Brighton on the Saturday.

 

[LudwigTails]

Why not head out on the Night Riviera instead? If you are not worried about doing it the whole way, then leave London on Friday night and bail out at Exeter (think it sets down there). Otherwise go down Thursday night, stay Friday night in Exeter. There should be plenty of time to do the HST all the way to Penzance and still get back to Brighton on the Saturday.

the exeter to penzance run doesnt run on weekdays at all. Only the late night penzance to exeter. and uh plus i also bought a 19 pound first class on swr from waterloo to exeter so and i dont really want to refund that...

 

[The exile]

the exeter to penzance run doesnt run on weekdays at all. Only the late night penzance to exeter. and uh plus i also bought a 19 pound first class on swr from waterloo to exeter so and i dont really want to refund that...

Wasn’t suggesting doing the Exeter - Penzance on a weekday. Given when the Exeter -Penzance hat runs, doing that and then returning to Brighton all on the Saturday shouldn’t be a problem. You just need what you’re prepared to do / give up to be in Exeter early on Saturday morning.

 

[30907]

If you want to travel in a sleeper (as opposed to the seats) then a Friday night in high summer is likely to be difficult.

You could try catching the Thursday night outward, doing HSTs on Friday, overnighting in Exeter (Travelodge? Hostel? AirBnB?) and catching the early Saturday train, returning to Brighton as The Exile has suggested (via the LSW?).

You might have time to visit some or all of the Cornish branch lines, given that a day Ranger will be your best option for the Friday, which would be a bonus.

 

[LudwigTails]

Wasn’t suggesting doing the Exeter - Penzance on a weekday. Given when the Exeter -Penzance hat runs, doing that and then returning to Brighton all on the Saturday shouldn’t be a problem. You just need what you’re prepared to do / give up to be in Exeter early on Saturday morning.

If you want to travel in a sleeper (as opposed to the seats) then a Friday night in high summer is likely to be difficult.

You could try catching the Thursday night outward, doing HSTs on Friday, overnighting in Exeter (Travelodge? Hostel? AirBnB?) and catching the early Saturday train, returning to Brighton as The Exile has suggested (via the LSW?).

You might have time to visit some or all of the Cornish branch lines, given that a day Ranger will be your best option for the Friday, which would be a bonus.

I am honestly unsure about my sleep. If i did get off at exeter with the night riviera i can barely get any sleep. Even if i am the first one to board at 22:30, check into my room and somehow quickly sleep. I only get a couple hours of sleep to almost none. I need to wake up at around 02:00 or 02:30 and preapre to get off at exeter at 03:07 in the morning and between the time 3am i am unsure what to do other than travel down to plymouth and ride more HST then and pass the time on saturday.

I feel like this plan could work if I do everything like u guys said in reverse. Take the sleeper on Thursday down all the way to penzance (so i can get more sleep) instead and start my day with the HSTs. After that find a time to head back to exeter and go in a hotel for the night and wake up for tmr for another HST, this time riding my main point trip plus more HSTs and then find a time to head back to brighton?

 

[Mike99]

I think an old-fashioned pen and A4 piece of paper will help you. Then by using real time trains website you will create a plan thar suits you and covers all that you want to achieve. Using pencil and paper gives you the option to cross out and add timings overnight stops/sleeper etc till you get the itineray that suits you best.

 

[The exile]

I think an old-fashioned pen and A4 piece of paper will help you. Then by using real time trains website you will create a plan thar suits you and covers all that you want to achieve. Using pencil and paper gives you the option to cross out and add timings overnight stops/sleeper etc till you get the itineray that suits you best.

I second that - though, of course, other sizes of paper are available! Particularly when you're trying to juggle a couple of "must haves" and a few "really want to haves" you are bound to go down a few blind alleys in the planning process - especially if you haven't done much before. The advantage of crossed out ideas on a bit of paper is a) that they're still there and b) you can doodle around them. My initial plans for more complex moves (particularly multi-day ones) will often have arrows all over the place - linking the first part of "Plan A" via the middle parts of "Plan B and C" back to the end of "Plan A". I'm sure it could all be done on a screen, though!
Most importantly - if you're not used to planning these things - build in a few "escape routes" for when everything goes pear-shaped.

 

[LudwigTails]

I think an old-fashioned pen and A4 piece of paper will help you. Then by using real time trains website you will create a plan thar suits you and covers all that you want to achieve. Using pencil and paper gives you the option to cross out and add timings overnight stops/sleeper etc till you get the itineray that suits you best.

I second that - though, of course, other sizes of paper are available! Particularly when you're trying to juggle a couple of "must haves" and a few "really want to haves" you are bound to go down a few blind alleys in the planning process - especially if you haven't done much before. The advantage of crossed out ideas on a bit of paper is a) that they're still there and b) you can doodle around them. My initial plans for more complex moves (particularly multi-day ones) will often have arrows all over the place - linking the first part of "Plan A" via the middle parts of "Plan B and C" back to the end of "Plan A". I'm sure it could all be done on a screen, though!
Most importantly - if you're not used to planning these things - build in a few "escape routes" for when everything goes pear-shaped.

Okay i followed this tip, did some researching. In the end, I got no choice but to do this as 4 days if i want to ride all 3 HSTs that will be running on those days.
Day 1 Thursday I depart brighton to London and do whatever I want so long as i get to Paddington before 2100 so i can preapare and watch the night riviera arrive.
Depart at 2345 and go all the way to Penzance.

Day 2 Friday arrive into Penzance at 0754 (btw does anybody know when i have to leave the train after arriving into penzance?). Then go to a ticket office and take the chance to get the Cornish rover (for maybe 2 days?) then wait for the 2P08 0850 from Penzance to Plymouth. Then find lunch before getting on to 2C31 1555 Plymouth to Penzance, and if this train cant make it in time by 1810 then i get off else, the plan is meant to get back to penzance make a tight connection on to 2E26 1815 Penzance to Exeter St Davids to end the day off.

Day 3 Saturday, first take the 2C10 0628 from Exeter to Penzance then back up to plymouth on the same train. Then a quick lunch before continuing on to 1338 that came from exeter arriving into plymouth taking me back to penzance, lastly take a 2E30 1815 from Penzance to Plymouth, then head back to exeter where my hotel wouldve been either on 2Z30 (an IET train) or 2E92 (a class 150?) depending on which one i can make it. As for day 4 Sunday so far I honestly dont know what should I do since HSTs aint out that day but I eventually would head back to Brighton, either via London Waterloo on SWR (which is more prefered) or GWR direct back to paddington or unless i have further plans to make this a 5 day return to penzance and take the return night riviera back to london and back to brighton on day 5.

How does that sound?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

That plan looks good - one thought; if you're straight off the Sleeper as soon as it arrives in Penzance and you have an hour until your first move out at 08.50 then you'd have time for a decent breakfast at Sullivan's just outside the station...

You should also be able to get the Cornish rover tickets at Paddington, which will save you time in the morning at Penzance.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Day 2 Friday arrive into Penzance at 0754 (btw does anybody know when i have to leave the train after arriving into penzance?).

I believe you‘re required to alight on arrival at Penzance. The stock doesn’t hang around for ages like it does at the London end.

 

[Mike99]

Okay i followed this tip, did some researching. In the end, I got no choice but to do this as 4 days if i want to ride all 3 HSTs that will be running on those days.
Day 1 Thursday I depart brighton to London and do whatever I want so long as i get to Paddington before 2100 so i can preapare and watch the night riviera arrive.
Depart at 2345 and go all the way to Penzance.
-
Day 2 Friday arrive into Penzance at 0754 (btw does anybody know when i have to leave the train after arriving into penzance?). Then go to a ticket office and take the chance to get the Cornish rover (for maybe 2 days?) then wait for the 2P08 0850 from Penzance to Plymouth. Then find lunch before getting on to 2C31 1555 Plymouth to Penzance, and if this train cant make it in time by 1810 then i get off else, the plan is meant to get back to penzance make a tight connection on to 2E26 1815 Penzance to Exeter St Davids to end the day off.
-
Day 3 Saturday, first take the 2C10 0628 from Exeter to Penzance then back up to plymouth on the same train. Then a quick lunch before continuing on to 1338 that came from exeter arriving into plymouth taking me back to penzance, lastly take a 2E30 1815 from Penzance to Plymouth, then head back to exeter where my hotel wouldve been either on 2Z30 (an IET train) or 2E92 (a class 150?) depending on which one i can make it. As for day 4 Sunday so far I honestly dont know what should I do since HSTs aint out that day but I eventually would head back to Brighton, either via London Waterloo on SWR (which is more prefered) or GWR direct back to paddington or unless i have further plans to make this a 5 day return to penzance and take the return night riviera back to london and back to brighton on day 5.

How does that sound?

Good well done, I'm a pensioner in two weeks and I love alll the new technology but someyimes, going old school, you can't beat a pen and pencil

 

[LudwigTails]

That plan looks good - one thought; if you're straight off the Sleeper as soon as it arrives in Penzance and you have an hour until your first move out at 08.50 then you'd have time for a decent breakfast at Sullivan's just outside the station...

You should also be able to get the Cornish rover tickets at Paddington, which will save you time in the morning at Penzance.

i went to the station office and (i honestly dont know is that the right place to) ask about the Cornish ranger (but i said rover on the day i went there). The staff just seems to be absolutely clueless as to what that rover ticket is.
Also can you not have breakfast on board before arrival on the night riviera?

 

[The exile]

i went to the station office and (i honestly dont know is that the right place to) ask about the Cornish ranger (but i said rover on the day i went there). The staff just seems to be absolutely clueless as to what that rover ticket is.

Which station?

 

[LudwigTails]

Which station?

i asked at paddington a couple days ago.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

GWR Rovers and Rangers tickets | Book online | Great Western Railway

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Not much excuse for that, it’s easily found on their website!

 

[LudwigTails]

GWR Rovers and Rangers tickets | Book online | Great Western Railway

Unlock unlimited travel across the West with Rover tickets and Ranger tickets. Explore new destinations and save on your journey. Book direct here.

www.gwr.com

Not much excuse for that, it’s easily found on their website!

i am still on about maybe i have asked on the wrong place because i asked the station office maybe not the ticket office? that said station office I asked was the one on platform 1 beside the bathrooms.

Also can you not have breakfast on board before arrival on the night riviera?

and what about this?

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

i am still on about maybe i have asked on the wrong place because i asked the station office maybe not the ticket office? that said station office I asked was the one on platform 1 beside the bathrooms.


and what about this?

If you’re travelling in a sleeping berth on the Night Riviera the attendant will take your breakfast order when / shortly after showing you to your berth. If you’re in the seated coaches I don‘t know what the arrangements (if any) are, although there is essentially a buffet car in the rake.

 

[The exile]

i am still on about maybe i have asked on the wrong place because i asked the station office maybe not the ticket office? that said station office I asked was the one on platform 1 beside the bathrooms.


and what about this?

It’s 30 years since I last used the Night Riviera, so I don’t know about onboard catering.
As for your reception at Paddington, any ticket office should sell you the ticket (though not too long in advance), but look it up in advance as it’ll help them if you use the correct name - especially if you’re asking for something they’ve never issued before.

 

[LudwigTails]

If you’re travelling in a sleeping berth on the Night Riviera the attendant will take your breakfast order when / shortly after showing you to your berth. If you’re in the seated coaches I don‘t know what the arrangements (if any) are, although there is essentially a buffet car in the rake.

Cool cool, i will still probs buy the ticket for the london leg pray that i somehow get a berth. I will ask the staff about the breakfast and etc.

As for your reception at Paddington, any ticket office should sell you the ticket (though not too long in advance), but look it up in advance as it’ll help them if you use the correct name - especially if you’re asking for something they’ve never issued before.

Cool cool.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

i went to the station office and (i honestly dont know is that the right place to) ask about the Cornish ranger (but i said rover on the day i went there). The staff just seems to be absolutely clueless as to what that rover ticket is.
Also can you not have breakfast on board before arrival on the night riviera?

I think the name of the ticket is something like Ride Cornwall. It should be available anywhere - the other rovers and rangers are; I suspect @RJ may be able to advise on what it's currently called and what the codes for it are?

For breakfast - there is a breakfast option on board, but it's only tea or coffee plus a croissant or a bacon roll so if you want to really fill yourself up - Sullivan's is definitely the place to go to...

 

[RJ]

Cornwall Ranger | National Rail

Special offer: Cornwall Ranger. The portal into UK rail travel, including information on ticket purchase and promotions, train times and delays, and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

It’s just called the Cornwall Ranger - ticket office staff should be able to find it by going through the list under the rovers menu.

If their system only has the rover by typing in its location code then they should look for RideCornwall, or J118.

 

[LudwigTails]

I think the name of the ticket is something like Ride Cornwall. It should be available anywhere - the other rovers and rangers are; I suspect @RJ may be able to advise on what it's currently called and what the codes for it are?

For breakfast - there is a breakfast option on board, but it's only tea or coffee plus a croissant or a bacon roll so if you want to really fill yourself up - Sullivan's is definitely the place to go to...

where is Sullivan?

 

[The exile]

Cornwall Ranger | National Rail

Special offer: Cornwall Ranger. The portal into UK rail travel, including information on ticket purchase and promotions, train times and delays, and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

It’s just called the Cornwall Ranger - ticket office staff should be able to find it by going through the list under the rovers menu.

If their system only has the rover by typing in its location code then they should look for RideCornwall, or J118.

Aren’t there 2 variants - one with buses (Ride Cornwall) and one without?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

where is Sullivan?

Immediately outside the station - literally a one, two minute walk.

Streetview link below; just spin round to the right and you'll see the station. Marked map below as well.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[12LDA28C]

No visit to PZ off the Sleeper is complete without a hot breakfast at Sullivan's.

 

[RJ]

Aren’t there 2 variants - one with buses (Ride Cornwall) and one without?

Yes, but both share the same location code.

 

[LudwigTails]

the next time i go to london i will try and see can I get the cornish ranger at paddington, if i cant. Then i will just try get that at penzance.
When its recommend or how do you know you get a cabin on the sleeper? Is it as soon as i can or?

 

[12LDA28C]

the next time i go to london i will try and see can I get the cornish ranger at paddington, if i cant. Then i will just try get that at penzance.
When its recommend or how do you know you get a cabin on the sleeper? Is it as soon as i can or?

You need to book a cabin as part of your travel ticket, you can't just turn up on the off-chance a berth is available.

 

[The exile]

the next time i go to london i will try and see can I get the cornish ranger at paddington, if i cant. Then i will just try get that at penzance.
When its recommend or how do you know you get a cabin on the sleeper? Is it as soon as i can or?

Any staffed station should be able to sell you the Cornish Ranger, not just GW ones.